Let's talk facts about tea-flavored mob rule

Since the victorious tea party House were sworn to govern in January 2011, America has endured one financial crisis after another — five emergencies to be exact. March 2013’s ‘keep government running’ appropriation passed with numerous special interest amendments, (oink, oink). Now, tea party Senators are sabotaging Budget negotiations, threatening debt ceiling obstruction.

Crisis governing is complicated by full-time paid part-timers in U.S. House of Representatives. The House will work 126 days in 2013 or about 2.4 days per week. American workers can’t turn in that kind of work performance and keep their jobs, resplendent with full pay, health care coverage, expense account, pension, et al.

America’s two-headed problem is deficit and debt. The deficit is the difference between the money Government takes in (revenue/taxes) each year and the money Government spends each year. To bridge the shortfall, America borrows by publicly selling Treasury securities and savings bonds to citizens, corporations, other countries. Our debt is the total accumulation of past deficits. GOP debt/deficit solution involves sacrificing programs for the vulnerable rather than touching a single penny of tax-evaded off-shore billions.

Republicans blame President Obama for Sequester cuts and then block easing those cuts. “The Pentagon has long battled Congress over spending, but Pentagon officials say Defense-spending advocates refuse to retire ships and aircraft. The Navy and Air Force spend roughly $5 billion more than they should... the military is prohibited from economizing.” The Army wants to kill a $436 million tank project. Congress preserves that spending. ‘This little piggy went to my district.’

2013 estimated deficit is $425 billion less than 2012, with an estimated aim of consistent reduction to 2.8 percent of GDP by 2022. Let’s save more. Annual salaries/benefits for Congress total nearly $100 million. The majority/minority leaders in both houses receive $194,000; regular members receive $174,000. Speaker of the House tops everyone at $224,000 annually. And they all have expense allotments.

Obama’s use of 145 executive orders in his first term equals George W. who issued 291 in two terms. Obama has used executive action to bypass or pressure Congress because Republicans block any proposal, including sensible proposals addressing debt and deficit. It isn’t the solutions proposed, it’s the ‘proposer.’ Obama directives included “We Can’t Wait” campaign to create jobs for veterans, increase fuel efficiency standards, and prevent prescription drug shortages. All straight from his Jobs bills and faithfully killed by GOP House and GOP-filibustered Senate.

To understand the immense task of ‘fixing’ America’s finances, visit the online ‘you-decide’ budget exercise at crfb.org/stabilizethedebt or visit www.taxreform.gov to offer ideas to reform America’s tax code. Maybe you can help fix our mess. Meanwhile, America is mired in tea. Stale, murky, minority-brewed tea. How about a cup of better-intentioned reality?

Comment: Edward Snowden pledged, and was paid, to be trustworthy. He betrayed America.